Well reputed Wilderness Medical training?

Hello everyone!

Is there anyone who knows of a well reputed Wilderness Medical training course in the US (or preferably in Europe, since im Swedish).

Im not interested in tales, Im hoping that persons who actually have done courses to recommend or discard their training.

The level of training should be EMT to Registered Nurse or directed towards medical problems during off-shore sailing or expedition medicine.

Thanks in advance!

/Stefan

Start here:

http://www.equipped.org/medschol.htm

Good Luck!

Stefan:

You might try www.wildmed.com which is who I received my advanced training from for a Wilderness Paramedic certification. I had to travel to SLC, UT, USA for classes. I know they have a program in Canada as well. Other class sites are in Colorado, USA and I believe Vermont, USA. Not sure of any European classes though.

Stargazer

An acquaintance had contemplated a year ago attending this Advanced Medicine for Remote Foreign Travel course in the UK. She had to cancel at the 11th hour, so no firsthand feedback to share, but I mention because it's in Europe, and sounds like it might meet your skill-level criteria. I see a course on 'expedition medicine' listed on their site as well.

Dan

You will have to check out Wilderness Medical Associates (WMA) and Wilderness Medical Institute (WMI) for courses. These 2 companies are the world leaders in wilderness medicine.

The Wilderness First Responder Course (WFR) is an 76-80 hr course over 8 days for generic outdoor activities (including boating, backpacking, rock climbing, etc.) There is only 1 "wilderness" level above that. It is a combination of EMT and WMT and takes 1 month to complete the 180 hr course. http://www.wildmed.com/Courses/EMT+WEMT_syllabus.htm http://www.nols.edu/wmi/courses/schedule.shtml#WEMT

Beyond that - you are getting into paramedic courses but they will be designed for the urban environment. "Wilderness medicine" is a relatively new discipline having only begun in the early 90's. If you need anything more than the training above - hire yourself a emergency room doctor!

I can vouch for the WMA WFR course having taken it in March - best money I ever spent on training. It gave me certification in Basic Life Support and CPR for adult/child/infant, 2-person support, automated external defibrillator (AED), oxygen administration, brief intro to endotracheal intubation, using the BP cuff and stethoscope, anaphylaxis workshop and the 6 specific wilderness medical protocols.

I have a Wilderness First Responder certificate from WMI (Wilderness Medicine Institute) of NOLS. I took my course from trainer Pete Walka in Flagstaff, AZ, and highly recommend him.

The NOLS/WMI curriculum and other info are here:

http://www.nols.edu/wmi/

- Steve

I took my Wilderness EMT from the same group, Wilderness Medical Assoc. and haver nothing but good to say about them.

I have a question. I know most of the schools follow the DOT standard, but is a cerified wilderness first responder recognized by the DOT. can WFR certification be used for further urban schooling towards EMT grade? Are WFR recognized by the state the same way a certified UFR is recognized. is the WFR certification reciprocal with local and state agencies?

thanks
Alan

It will likely vary from state to state. Here in Maryland, it is not recognized, other then as a supplement or continuing education, comparable to a seminar or general course of interest.

While Maryland has Wilderness Protocols, it is up to the Local and/or Regional Medical Director to decide if they wish to implement the protocol in their jurisdiction.

Maryland is funny with certificates from courses or outside training companies. By law under Maryland Code for Higher Education, the Maryland Fire Rescue Institute (MFRI) has a virtual lock on all forms of education for Fire/Rescue personal (career or volunteer) in the state. Instructors that are not Maryland Instructor Certification Review Board (MICRB) members cannot even offers courses in the state, where a “certificate” is issued. There are ways around this and include having the course sponsored by one of the recognized/approved Fire Academies as a seminar or have a MICRB Instructor be the lead Instructor.

Bottom line, WFR, W-EMT, WEMT-P certifications are not recognized in the state of Maryland and would not count towards completion of an EMT-B, EMT-I, CRT or EMT-P curriculum. You should be able to use the training as fulfilling the general/supplemental training requirements for continuing education.

Pete

I figured that... thanks.

another question. At least one school says they will certify you in anaphalactic shock. What is that all about? Does that mean they can now use an epi-pen on someone legally? Sounds to me like there is no way that's going to happen.

I would venture to say, regardless, you have a "Duty to Care" and the "good samaritan" Law would protect you. So, an anaphalactic certificate is nothing more than a selling point that means nothing.

just wondering
Alan

State and local protocols will determine what techniques and skills can and cannot be performed by EMS professionals (career and volunteer) for their level of training by a state agency (Public Health Department/Medical Board/EMS Department) that oversee standards and provides certification and/or licensing.

I could take a course where I learn a particular skill/procedure and the course provider/sponsor will attest (certify) that I have learned, tested and can perform the skill and the medical parameters for use, but unless the state and local protocols permit such use, I would practicing medicine beyond my scope of practice.

Good Samaritan Laws will generally only protect the individual from liability if they:
-Act in good faith
-Do not perform a skill/procedure beyond their recognized level of training – in this case the training would only be to the level for which the individual is recognized by the state has having. For example a military medic may perform on the battlefield, procedures which in the civilian world are not recognized within the scope of practice for a paramedic. If they were to perform that skill at an accident scene, the Good Samaritan Law would not shield them from civil and possibly criminal liability, especially if things went bad.

Pete

A great school here in the Northeastern US is SOLO. (Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities).

http://www.soloschools.com/home.html

They have courses in WFA, WFR, WEMT and other specialty courses like SAR and High Angle Rescue. I think they also have an International Medicine module for guides that are already WFR or WEMT certified.

I have taken courses with them that the AMC club up here sponsored, and their instructors were great. Other folks mentioned the NOLS WMI school, which is also awesome, but, New Hampshire or Vermont are a little closer to fly to from Sweden than the NOLS headquarters would be

Not sure what an "anaphalctic certificate" is either, but my training from WMI included adminstering an epi pen and using a syringe to administer epinephrine.

I have also taken the Wilderness First Aid course from Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities based out of New Hampshire. This is there "entry-level" two day course. They have more advanced courses in wilderness medicine
I thought it was fantastic. Great instructors. As a High Adventure Boy Scout leader, it really fit the bill. They are at:

http://www.soloschools.com/

As usually, the ETS Forum-folks rise to the occation!

Thanx everyone!

Wilderness Medicine has not even started over here.
There might be isolated "practitioners" but the subject is quite new. Thats why Im thinking about courses in the US. However Crossing Latitudes has a Wilderness First Responder course over here, so there´s a start...

Again, many thanks!

/Stefan

Stefan, I too echo your sentiments... thanks All